Cushion



Jan. 5, 1943.

H. c. PARKER, JR

CUSHION Filed June 3, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1,

Inventor r/erf 6260/ inf Fa r/re J A Home Jan. 5, 1943. H, 3. PARKER, JR2,301,331

CUSHION Filed June 3, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor W /J a hyrf'aaa/znfi/vrey/fr A Howey Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES '1' OFFICE Thisinvention relates broadly to cushions, and more particularly to seatcushions.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a healthy,less tiring, and more efficient type of cushion for the seat and back ofautomobile seats, chairs and the like, and to that end the cushions areof such a shape and design as to follow very closely the principles ofposture seating.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be bestunderstood from a study of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view showing in side elevation a seat and back cushionassembled on an automobile seat, shown by broken lines, and illustratingthe application of the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the cushion assembly.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the back cushionillustrating certain features hereinafter more fully referred to, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a tape forming part of the invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that 5indicates generally a seat cushion embodying the features of the presentinvention.

The cushion 5 may be formed of any suitable material and may be of anysuitable dimensions, and in practice it will be found feasible to makethe cushion in a form consisting of an outer casing of molded Laytex orsponge rubber with a filling of mohair or other suitable material.

A salient feature of the seat is, however, the shaping of the same sothat the bottom 6 thereof will be of greater dimensions than the top Iwith the edge 8 inclined at an angle to the perpendicular and slopingtowards the bottom of the seat as shown.

A further feature of the seat 5 is to have the same of greaterdimensions longitudinally than transversely with the edge of the seat atopposite sides of the intermediate portion 8 tapering as at 9 towardsthe respective opposite ends of the seat as shown.

By having the edges 9 angling from the front to the opposite ends of theseat, and rearwardly, there is given to the under part of the thighsfreedom of blood circulation, regardless of the position of the legs ofthe user.

Another salient feature of the cushion 5 is that I at the rear edgethereof, and intermediate the opposite end edges, the seat is providedwith an indentation III that forms at the back of the seat a well, theprovision of which serves to relieve pressure at the base of the spine,the well or recess I0 being in a region as to substantially align withthe spinal column of the party using the seat.

With regard to dimensions and thickness of the seat 5, such, in thecontemplation of the present invention, is as to allow maximum comfortin that, as isbelieved to be apparent, with a seat having the featuresjust enumerated, the sit bones have the full thickness of the cushion 5for support.

Further in accordance with the present invention there is provided acushion I I for the back.

Generally speaking the cushion I I is so designed as to give maximumsupport to the lumbar region of the spine, relieving backache andallowing the inner organs of the body such as the lungs, stomach,intestines, etc. to function in a normal uncramped position. Also, theshape and structure of the cushion I I is such as to assist instraightening the spine since the cushion tends to throw the weightproperly on the sit bones and not on the base of the spine. To that endthe cushion I I comprises a substantially oblong cushion body which mayconsist of an outer casing having a filler therein, the casing beingpreferably of the same material as the casing of the seat cushion 5, andthe filler being also of the same type of material as may be employed asa filler for the seat cushion 5.

A very salient feature of the back cushion II is that at its respectiveopposite ends the rear wall or face of the cushion is offset inwardlytowards the front of the cushion from the plane of the rear face of thecushion as shown at l2-I 2.

By having the rear of the cushion so ofiset as I2-I2, sufficientclearance is provided between the opposite ends of the cushion II andthe back of the chair, automobile seat, or the like, upon which it maybe positioned. This structure is especially necessary where the backcushion is used on soft automobile seats if a proper relief of pressureon the kidney section is to be obtained.

In actual practice the cushion II may be positioned vertically withrespect to the cushion 5 to the extent desired and supported in anysuitable manner in reference to the cushion 5.

In the present instance, I have shown for supporting the back cushion II in proper relation to the seat cushion 5 a pair of flexible tapesI3--I3 of cloth, leather or the like.

To accommodate the tapes !3, the cushion H, at the back thereof and inthe region of the offsets l2-l2 thereof, has secured thereto pairs ofloops l5 arranged in vertical alignment, and through which the tapes l3are trained as shown.

At one end thereof the tapes l3 may be secured to the under or bottomside of the cushion 5, or be merely positioned thereunder to hold saidends of the tapes in place, while at the respective opposite endsthereof the tapes l3 are equipped for engagement over the edge of theback of the chair, or other article of furniture upon which the cushionsare being used.

In the present instance, I have shown the tapes l3--|3 provided withhooks l6 of any rigid material that engage over the back-rest I! of theautomobile seat [8 shown by broken lines in Figure 1.

If desired, and to secure the cushion ll against shifting movementlengthwise of the tape I3, said tapes l3, and the respective loops 15are provided with complemental fastening elements, such as suggestedgenerally in Figure 5 and indicated by the reference numeral [8.

These fastening elements may be in the form of headed studs andcomplemental sockets, or be of any type of well-known separable, ortwopart fasteners suitable for the purpose.

It will also be understood that while I have shown the free ends of thetapes I3 equipped with hooks I6, that other suitable means may besubstituted therefor for securing the upper ends of the tapes to thebacks of ofiice chairs or other types of seats.

From the above it will be seen that I have designed cushions for theseat and back which will follow very closely the principle of postureseating as has already been found a proven asset to health andefficiency of persons required to be seated over an extended period oftime, such as taxicab drivers, office workers such as typists, andothers similarly employed.

It is believed that the invention, together with its many advantages,will be clearly understood and appreciated without further detaileddescription.

While I have herein illustrated and described a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, it is also to be understood that I do not wish to limitmyself to the precise details of construction, combination andarrangement of elements as herein illustrated, since I am fully awarethat modifications may be made by those skilled in the art and engagedin the use of the cushions.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. A cushion assembly for use on automobile seats comprising a seatmember of greater dimension from side to side than from front to rear,said member being substantially flat on its top and bottom and having acontinuous beveled edge inclining upwardly and inwardly to the top, saidmember having parallel sides, a front edge portion parallel with theback edge, and edge portions converging forwardly from the sides to saidfront portion whereby said member is provided with a front part forstraddling by the legs to reduce pressure against the thighs.

2. A cushion assembly for use on automobile seats comprising a seatmember of greater dimension from side to side than from front torear,said member being substantially flat on its top and bottom and having acontinuous beveled edge inclining upwardly and inwardly to the top, saidmember having parallel sides, a front edge portion parallel with theback edge, and edge portions converging forwardly from the sides to saidfront portion whereby said member is provided with a front part forstraddling by the legs to reduce pressure against the thighs, the tophaving in its rear edge a central well for relieving pressure at thebase of the spine.

3. A cushion assembly for use on automobile seats comprising a seatmember of greater dimension from side to side than from front to rear,said member being substantially flat on its top and bottom and having acontinuous beveled edge inclining upwardly and inwardly to the top, saidmember having parallel sides, a front edge portion parallel with theback edge, and edge portions converging forwardly from the sides to saidfront portion whereby said member is provided with a front part forstraddling by the legs to reduce pressure against the thighs, a backmemher having forwardly flaring side edges for imparting flexibility tothe same, and means connecting said members together in spaced-apartrelation and hangers on said means for suspending the same and said backmember from the top edge of an automobile seat.

I HERBERT CASSIUS PARKER, .naf

